They are the ocean's most feared predator, but the state of California thinks great white sharks might need a little protection of their own.

The state Fish and Game Commission on Wednesday advanced the candidacy of the giant sharks to the California Endangered Species list, which will immediately enact protections during a yearlong review. The commission staff had recommended the shark be listed for candidacy.

Fishing groups contacted prior to Wednesday's decision said they were unhappy with the potential listing.

Aaron Newman, president of the Humboldt Fishermen's Marketing Association, said he feels the potential listing creates a tough environment for local fishermen.

"Lots of people say, 'OK, let's list the white shark,' but they don't think about the repercussions," he said. "These protections take away the ability for us to fish and make money. Personally, I think it's more about politics than it is about let's save this poor shark."

The sharks, which can grow to 20 feet long, are already protected by international treaties, but the candidacy status means state protections will be enacted immediately. The biggest impact will be to set gillnet fisheries in Southern California, which sometimes snag juvenile white sharks while bottom fishing for halibut.

"Last year, we lost a bunch of areas we fished to marine protections. Now environmental groups are looking for another fishery to fry," said Chris Hoeflinger, spokesman for the Ventura County Commercial Fishermen's Association. "This is going to be a big impact."

Hoeflinger said that as California regulations make it more difficult to fish, American consumers will have to rely more on imports that may not have come from clean water or been fished sustainably.

Although a few commissioners at Wednesday's meeting expressed fatigue over the number of petitions brought before the Fish and Game Commission to consider for the endangered species list, the commissioners voted unanimously to advance the candidacy of the white shark.

Prior to the vote, commissioner Richard Rogers said he was in no way uncomfortable proceeding forward.

"I too, am one of the commissioners who, after eight years, is a little tired of getting these petitions," Rogers said. "Howeve, this particular petition does concern me. This is an iconic animal: It is incredibly important for this commission and department to evaluate this animal."

Michael Sutton, vice president of the commission and founding director of the Center for the Future of the Oceans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, pointed out that Wednesday's action is only the first step in a multi-step process toward listing the white shark as an endangered species.

"The level of scrutiny for an actual listing is greater, is different," he said. "We will assess that at that time."

The decision comes less than four months after a local surfer was attacked by a shark. On Oct. 30, 25-year-old Manila resident Scott Stephens was bitten and dragged underwater by a shark while surfing off the North Jetty. Stephens, who escaped the shark after punching it in the head, was able to ride a wave to shore. He was transported to St. Joseph Hospital, where he was treated for at least seven deep lacerations across his torso.

Great white sharks became universally feared after one was featured in the movie "Jaws" terrorizing beachgoers in a fictional New England town.

Since 1990, there have been 17 reports of local non-fatal shark attacks, according to the Shark Research Committee, a non-profit research organization that documents shark attacks. Across the state, there have been 13 recorded fatalities resulting from shark attacks since 1900. Of the 154 unprovoked shark attacks reported in California since 1900, the white shark has been implicated in 90 percent of the incidents.

Scientists have not been able to get an accurate count of great white sharks worldwide, but the petition from the conservation organization Oceana and two other groups was aimed at a subspecies that lives along the California coast. A study two years ago by UC Davis, Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station and others estimated the population at around 220, though little else is known about their breeding and migration habits.

In making their decision Wednesday, the commissioners expressed optimism that the yearlong review of the species would result in more concrete population estimates.

Oceana described California's great whites as being on the brink of extinction because of low numbers. The main threat to them is incidental capture in fishing nets.

While targeting white sharks is prohibited, there are no current limits on incidental catches.

"Whether or not you find great white sharks to be awe-inspiring or fear-provoking, they are an important part of the marine ecosystem, and due to their low population size and threats from human activities, they merit an endangered species listing," said Ashley Blacow, Oceana's Pacific Policy coordinator.

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AT A GLANCE:

Great white shark

Species: Carcharodon carcharias.

Size: Adults can grow to be anywhere from 18 to 21 feet long, and weigh as much as 5,000 pounds.

Geographic Distribution: Great white sharks can be found in coastal waters in every major ocean, but are most commonly sighted around Australia, South Africa, California and Mexico.

Habitat: Great white sharks live in temperate coastal waters.

Life span: 30 to 40 years.

Behavior: Solitary.

Close encounters: 17 local attacks -- none fatal -- have been recorded since 1990